Former local chef sentenced in wife's gruesome murder

Published: Friday, March 22, 2013 at 10:25 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, March 22, 2013 at 2:39 p.m.

LOS ANGELES - A chef who told police he cooked his wife's body in boiling water has been sentenced in Los Angeles to 15 years to life in prison for second-degree murder.

David Viens, who has local ties, gave a rambling, 45-minute speech during Friday's sentencing, saying the story he told police about cooking the body was a lie.

He said he was disoriented at the time after having surgery for injuries he suffered when he jumped off a cliff.

Viens previously operated two restaurants on Anna Maria Island.

The 49-year-old Viens was convicted in September of killing of 39-year-old Dawn Viens in 2009. Her body was never found.

In a recorded interrogation presented at trial, Viens said he cooked her body for four days to get rid of evidence. Authorities said he leaped off a cliff after learning he was a suspect in her disappearance.

EARLIER: A chef with local ties who told police he cooked his wife's body for four days in boiling water is set to be sentenced for his murder conviction.

David Viens has a sentencing hearing scheduled for Friday morning in a Los Angeles courtroom.

Viens previously operated two restaurants on Anna Maria Island.

The 49-year-old Viens was convicted of murder in September of the killing of his 39-year-old wife, Dawn Viens, in late 2009. Her body has never been found.

In a recorded interrogation from a hospital bed presented by prosecutors during the trial, Viens can be heard saying he cooked her body for four days to get rid of evidence. Authorities said he leapt off an 80-foot cliff after learning he was a suspect in her disappearance.

Viens, who attended trial in a wheelchair, could get 15-years-to-life in prison.

According to Herald-Tribune archives, Viens was the former owner and lead chef at The Beach City Market & Grille on Holmes Beach. The restaurant shut down after Viens was indicted on charges of distributing marijuana. In 2007, he was to a year and a day in prison on those charges.

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